By Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

Bling Dawg in performance. - Ian Allen

As owner of premiere barber shop, Bling Kutts, entertainer Bling Dawg, whose real name is Marlon Williams, says his road to the world of entrepreneurship, began as a mere child.

"I'm a born hustler...as a yout when mi did overseas, mi see pikney a make crazy money offa lawn mowing, suh mi jus borrow mi cousin own an start hustle...mi a jus 11 dem time deh," said Bling Dawg.

The entertainer, who was born in Kingston, found himself travelling overseas frequently as a child. However, his travels went on break in 1994, when Williams went to live in Portland with his father and step-mother. It was then that his 'hustling' skills proved invaluable.

"When mi guh Portland fi live, tings neva suh easy, an mi stepmother used to seh nunt'n nah guan, an pressure mi fi guh do sometin," said Bling Dawg.

POSITIVE INFLUENCES

Williams says that although his drive to make money helped to mould his business savvy, it was the positive influences that he surrounded himself with, that ultimately led him to become not only a dancehall star, but a productive businessman.

"Mi bredrin from Miami name Stephen, otherwise known as Bud Spencer was a great influence, an man like Richard Parchment from PG's Express, who I look up to as a businessman...if yuh surround uself with negativity thats what u'll get. I chose to keep positive people roun' me," said Bling.

But why barbering, you may ask. Williams said that it was a barber and friend named Marlon, who encouraged him into the business.

"If you par wit bear mechanic, afta a while yuh a guh know fi be a mechanic...my bredrin Marlon did always a encourage me fi open a barbershop an mi did buy di chair dem in Miami from three years aback," said Bling.

Although he admitted to 'falling off' the business venture for a few years, Williams says the delay allowed him to get everything "perfect" for the grand opening of his now successful business, Bling Kutt Barbers. Leather couches, plasma screen televisions and an air-conditioned environment, is just some of the 'cutting edge' features, that allows Williams' business to survive in the competitive industry of male grooming.

"Everything in the shop is new. It's like a family thing where people can come and feel comfortable. We try to deal with manners and principles," Bling Dawg said, in a previous interview with The STAR.

Even the barbers, 10 of whom are employed at any given opening hour at the barber shop, agree that the environment is comfortable for both customers and employees, alike.

"Di place is all good. It sell off! The environment nice; the customer service is good," described Kahlil Oshing, one of the barbers at Bling Kutt.

Despite the frequent visits from celebrities such as Busy Signal, Roundhead, George Nooks, and Ward 21, Bling Dawg says he has priced his services to accommodate anybody from all walks of life.

Bling Kutt is located at 3A Central Avenue (on the Vision Arts Plaza). The business, is just one of the many 'hustles' in which Williams is now involved, Other ventures include promoter (Bling Dawg Summer Jam), real estate investments, producer, and of course, dancehall artiste. Bling Dawg advises anyone that wants to open their own business to research whatever venture they wish to enter, before committing themselves.

"Ina business yuh afi know the advantages and disadvantages of what you want to get into, and keep the budget on level with the earnings...a business is not a overnight payoff, its more like a tree that yuh afi water and nurture if yuh want it fi grow," advised Bling Dawg.